Technical Abstract:
The ability of lauric acid (LA)-potassium hydroxide (KOH) solutions to reduce carcass bacterial contamination was examined. Skin of carcasses was inoculated with a cecal paste containing antibiotic resistant strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimirum, and Campylobacter coli. In one trial, inoculated carcasses were sprayed with water, 0.25% LA-0.125% KOH, 0.5 % LA-0.25% KOH, 1% LA-0.5% KOH, or 2% LA-1% KOH at 80 psi (552 kPA) for 15 s to determine the effect of LA-KOH concentration on contamination. In a separate trial, carcasses were washed for 0, 5, 15, or 30 s at 100 psi (689 kPA) with 2% LA-1% KOH to determine the effect of length of time of wash. In each trial, whole carcass rinses were performed to recover bacteria remaining on the carcasses. Total plate count bacteria (TPC) and bacteria added to the cecal paste were enumerated in the rinsates. Findings indicated that fewer TPC bacteria, E. coli, and Salmonella and no C. coli were recovered from carcasses washed with 2% LA-1% KOH as compared to carcasses washed with water. Additionally, fewer bacteria were recovered from carcasses washed in LA-KOH for 5 s than from unwashed carcasses; fewer TPC bacteria and Salmonella were recovered from carcasses washed for 15 s than for 5 s; and no C. coli were recovered from carcasses washed for 15 or 30 s. Findings indicate that concentration of LA-KOH and length of time of washing with LA-KOH are factors in the ability of the surfactant to reduce bacterial contamination of broiler carcasses.